EGG-HVC-001

From Sonic Retro

EGG-HVC-001 is a bipedal mech built by Dr. Eggman and used in Sonic the Hedgehog CD. It is one of only two bosses (the other being Metal Sonic) given a name in the Japanese manual; the name appears to come from HVC-001, the model number for the original Nintendo Famicom. This is the game's first boss, appearing in Palmtree Panic Zone 3, which will either be fought in the Good or Bad Future depending on if the player successfully found the Eggman's machine in the previous two Zones. Though the attack pattern of the boss will remain the same regardless of which future the player ends up in, the color scheme of the EGG-HVC-001 will change to reflect Sonic's successes or failures; In the Good Future, the machine will be pink and steel-blue, while in the Bad Future, the machine will be red and drab-gray. Also, straying from convention established in the previous Sonic titles, the EGG-HVC-001 requires less than the standard eight hits, only needing three to fully destroy Eggman's latest machine.

The design of the machine features two large arms, each with a bumper on the end, similar to the bumpers used in such locations as Collision Chaos and Spring Yard Zone from the original Sonic the Hedgehog. A single hit will take off one of the arms, and after both are off Eggman is completely open to the final attack. Trying to hit him as he lands, or while he is lumbering forward will only result in Sonic being bounced backward. Instead, the best moment to hit the mad doctor is while he is charging up to attack, his two arms pulled back leaving his front wide open. If impatient, it is also possible to hit him before he prepares to charge. If the player has at least one ring in their possession, charging ahead and throwing Sonic onto the spiked feet of the boss robot will allow Sonic to become temporarily invincible, hopefully giving enough time to land the three hits on Eggman before the invincibility wears off. It is also possible, if the player is aware of what is coming next, to rush directly to the right of the screen and be behind Eggman while he lands, his behind completely exposed for open attack. With this method, it is entirely possible to defeat Dr. Eggman in less than five seconds and complete the level in less than a minute.

In earlier versions of the game, the EGG-HVC-001 was actually meant to look differently. A preview screenshot in the August 1993 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly reveals that the bumpers found on the final were once pincers on the end of its arms. This version of the boss can be fought in the 510 prototype of Sonic CD.